What to pack for United Arab Emirates in May

UV index hits 12.3, which burns skin in under 15 minutes unprotected.

Glare off sand and water at this brightness makes regular sunglasses useless.

May brings insects that thrive in desert heat, especially near water.

Heat exhaustion and dehydration escalate quickly in these conditions.

This country runs on Type C or G. Get one with USB-C so you're not fighting over the single outlet.

Set it up before you land. Signal drops for long stretches outside cities.

Overhead bins fit this size on every airline that flies here.

Day trips into the desert and to parks need a separate small bag.

Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.

For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.

Coastal wind cuts through a t-shirt fast.

Sand and wind at 25 km/h work into every gap around your neck and face.

Anything heavier than linen is a mistake at 102°F.

UV hits 12.3 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

The coast is right there and water temperature sits at 77°F minimum.

For temples, mosques, and churches that check at the door.

Desert terrain and coastal walks need grip that regular sandals don't provide.

Thirteen hours of daylight means your head gets hit constantly from above.

Cold water at 3pm is worth the weight.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Electrolyte loss outpaces water loss when sweat evaporates this fast.

No rain means taps work all month, but carrying water beats waiting.

One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.

Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.

Airport crowds and busy souks make bags easy to lose track of.

Heat and sand get into everything, so clothes need to stay separated.

Sand and salt water destroy phones, so this pouch stays with you.

Sweat and dust pile up daily in this heat and terrain.

Airport noise and long travel days need silence to rest.

Daytime heat climbs to 102°F, so legs stay exposed as long as possible.

Lips crack fast in dry heat and wind, then sunburn on top of it.

Tap water is safe but your hands touch everything in the heat.

Sunburned skin swells, so bug bite cream needs to work without heat.

Long cables tangle in a daypack; short ones stay organized.

A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.

International travel and border control require your passport on hand.

Luggage moves through multiple hands in transit hubs.

Hanging keeps toiletries accessible in a small guesthouse bathroom.

Long flights here mean neck support matters for sleep.